Thursday, March 9, 2006

GBF Meeting Speaker

Trent Pridemore

Zoologist

Angler’s Education Service

Western Stillwater Trout Flyfishing

Trent Pridemore resides in Grass Valley and Carnelian Bay, California.  His family emigrated from Fairbanks, Alaska in l946 and settled in the Bay Area.  He received a degree in Field Zoology from UCSB and worked as a timber cruiser in Humboldt and Trinity Counties.  After a Doctorate at UCSF, The Air Force sent him to the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict.

His zoological background stimulated an earlier interest in fly fishing that led him to involvement in angling conservation.  He was Project Chairman of the Little Truckee River Trout Restoration Task Force in the mid-70s that ultimately led to what has become a major and unique trout resource in the Wild Trout Program.  Other angling related activities include writing for several publications and guest appearances on radio and television.  He has taught classes on fly tying, fly casting, and angler’s entomology.  One of his main interests is Stillwater Angling for Trout.  In the mid-90s, he formed Angler’s Education Service to expand his lecturing and educational programs.

About eight years ago, he was invited to participate in the making of an ESPN segment that was shot on the private lakes of Battle Mountain Ranch out of Choteau, Montana. The scenery was incredible and the fly fishing so superlative that he has chased similar private stillwaters all over the West.

Most are found on ranches that have been opened to the fly fishing public for a fee. It is a win-win situation for the rancher and the fly fisherman. The operation could be warm water bass ponds, a mountain lake that offers angling access for a day fee or a lodge package that includes fly fishing as well as accommodations and meals. Stocking and propagation programs initiated by the operators offer the angler chances at large, superbly conditioned fish in pristine settings. Angler numbers are limited to provide special angling experiences. 

In his presentation, Trent will give an overview of the stillwaters that he has visited and fished. Private lakes have proved to be fly fishing laboratories. He will cover fly patterns, stillwater tactics, and the underlying aquatic biology that controls success.